Pneumatically operated control system



y 1953 E. H. WOODHULL PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED CONTROL SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 15, 1951 Q? 3 mm 236 mqmskcS INVENTORS ELLIOT H. WOODHULL 4) W ATTORNEY 3? 5.803 5 mm mm vm mm cfin a; KN m 2 5.15 Fm. ///4 72% v 5 .2 n on k 2 ti... 5

May .19, 1953 E. H. WOODHULL- PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Jan. 15', 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mvl.

mosh hmmmt INVENTORS ELL/0T H. WOODHULL BY 1) W ATTORNEY range between zero pressure and the pressure of the source, which may be twenty pounds per square inch, by adjustment of the compression of spring 23.

The isolating one-to-one relay B comprises a casing which is divided into an upper chamber 3| and a, lower chamber 32 by a diaphragm 33 which has its margin sealed in the walls of the casing to prevent fluid from passing from one of these chambers to the other. A source of compressed air at uniform pressure is supplied through restriction 36 to the chamber 3| while the controlled pressure in branch pipe 21 is applied to chamber 32. The top of the casing is provided with an inwardly directed nozzle 34 exhausting the chamber 3i to the atmosphere, under the control of the diaphragm 33 which cooperates with the nozzle to vary the escape of fluid therethrough. The operation of the isolating relay B is such that the output pressure in pipe 3'! is equal to the input pressure in pipe 2'! but this output pressure cannot react back on the input pressure in pipe2l.

The pipe 3? communicates with the relay of stage C which comprises a casing 48 provided with a flexible diaphragm 4i sealed thereto, to define a chamber 42. A disc 43 mounted on this diaphragm has a downwardly projecting lug 44 which carries the left end of baflle 45, the lug being biased upward by a spring 46. end of the bafiie 45 cooperates with a nozzle 41 to constitute a control couple. A source of compressed air at a uniform pressure is supplied through restriction 48 and the pipe 49, to the nozzle 41 where it escapes to the atmosphere under the control of the bafiie 45 thereby varying the back pressure in pipe 48. An increase in pressure in chamber 42 results ina decrease in pressure in pipe 49. Pipe 49 communicates this varying back pressure to the chamber 18 of the the output pipe 37 of the isolating relay while the other end of pipe 58 communicates with the'output pipe49 of the relay C. A pipe 54 communicating with pipe 58 at a point between the restrictions GI and G2 leads to chamber 42 to supply pressure thereto for operating the relay C. This pressure divider provides means for adjusting the sensitivity of the system, that is, the amount that motor valve 6 opens or closes for a given change in temperature.

The ratio of the pressure change in pipe 49, to the pressure change in pipe 37, is the gain of the relay. It should be pointed out that the effective area of the diaphragm 4! of chamber 42 and the spring rate of spring 46 are so chosen that the gain of the relay C with restriction G2 closed, is relatively large, for example, 100 times. Therefore, to move bafile 45 from a capped position to a fully uncovered position requires a relatively small change in the pressure in the chamber 42, for example 0.2 of a pound per square inch. Consequently, in normal operation, the,

the operation of the parts of the circuit so far described will not be changed by connecting pipe 1 21 directly to pipe 3! and removing relay B. It is also obvious that in practice only one of the The right "31A to the primary chamber 64.

connected to the centers of these diaphragms,

'88 to define the chambers 84, 81 and 89.

'tive surfaces.

4 restrictions Gi and G2 needs to be adjustable.

When the pressure in pipe 31 is at the chosen intermediate value, as described above, it is desirable to have the pressure in pipe 49 at this same value so that either restriction Gi and G2 or both may be adjusted to change the gain of the relay stage C without causing any change in pressure in .pipe 49. This'i's accomplished by adjusting the compression in spring 48 until with this predetermined pressure in chamber 42, this same pressure is present in pipe 49.

The reset stage D comprises a casing 68 which with the parallel diaphragms El, 62 and 33 sealed thereto, provides a primary chamber 64, a secondarychamber 65 and a tertiary chamber 65. Pressure in the output pipe 3'! of the isolating relay B is communicated through branch pipe A pillar 67 partakes of the resultant movement thereof to move in a vertical direction in response to changes in the pressures in the chambers of the reset stage. The lower end of the pillar 61 carries the right end of a baffle 68, the pillar being biased upward by a spring 69. The left end of the bafile cooperates with the nozzle Hi to constitute a control couple. A source of compressed air under uniform pressure is supplied through restriction H and pipe 12 to the output pipe "it from which it bleeds to the atmosphere through nozzle Hi under the control of the baffle 88. The action of the bafile throttles the pressure in the output pipe 713, communicating with the chamber 84 of the booster relay E. to which air under uniform pressure is supplied through V pipe 80.

The booster relay comprises a casing 85 including a top cap, an intermediate ring and a bottom portion separated by diaphragms 88 and The diaphragms are connected at their centers to a pillar 83 so that they operate as a unit against the biasing action of spring 92, in response to the difference in pressures applied to their respec- The pillar 83 has a passage 82 therein leading to chamber 8! which communicates with the atmosphere through an opening in the intermediate ring. Pillar 83 has a valve sure in the chamber 89 is applied to the diaphragm 88 tending to oppose the action of the pressure .applied to diaphragm 86 comprising a part of the chamber 84. Throttled compressed air. is supplied from the chamber 89 through the pipes 93 and 94 which communicate with the diaphragm motor of valve 6. This tends to position valve 6 so that the proper amount of steam is supplied through the pipe 5, to correct any deviation from the desired value of the process.

The pipe 93 also communicates through the branch pipe 95 and 96 with the chamber 85 in the reset unit D to effect a balance with the incoming pressure which is supplied to the chamber 64, and through pipe 95, restriction R and pipe 81 with chamber 68 of the reset unit D.

Spring as of the reset stage-D and 92 of the i booster relay .E are preferably adjusted so that when the ressure in -chambers! of 'the reset stage is constant and at the chosen intermediate pressureof 1 the r primary stage A; the pre'ssures ln pipe- 95 and in the'ehambers fit and 66 are all at the same pressure; Wi'th this-winitial' condition an increase in pressure in chamber-M will-result-ina proportional increaseiin pressure in: pipe: 95 and chamber fi'li; This increase ih pressure in line95 willalso transnntted with a timefllag through restriction. R and pipe st to chamber- 66 and capacity tanhea; nsithevpressure intchamber 66 increases; a further increase-in pressure in pipe ilt andchamber t5 Wi11' 1e's'u-1t. Asia Well: known inw'the art,- the "use of restriction: 1R; associated capacity and oham'ber EG-LresuitsI-in the outputot stagelam and: itswbooster: relay :being proportional to input of chamber 5 4". and proportionalitathe time integral off'the input to chamber-t1. response is. commonly knownias proportional plus resetxresponsel f I'he reset; responserrate maybe -a;djusted. by adjustins th :resistanc'euofsrestriction B;which restrictionais iprererably a needle valve.

.fIt hes-.beeni indicated that-the: :outputzprimary tage A- gives derivative response and: propor ti'onal response. These responses are exhibited inzithe-zinput pressure to chamber 64 of thenreset relay with consequent output pressuretov the diaphragm motor valve of which reset, propontionaltandv. derivatlve'responses;

;l-Fig. shows 'a modified form-of. the control system shown 'ini'li igt 1. has; been noted i'the gain of; the relay in the variable J'gain -:stage is referably'high. Whemtheigain isihighthe operation of. the variable'ig'ain stage is. such that the pressure inachamber-"M. is sufficiently constant to tie-applied through pipe 15 and used in conjuncvtion withrdiaphragrm 13E oztiche'zinber 1 for biasing the reset stage, thereby eliminating the need for a -biasing spring-j such as 69? shown :in Figure 1. Replacing this biasing spring by a pressurebias changes none of the essential characteristics of thasystem. a

It should be pointed out thatzthepresent'invcntion provides automatic start-up of asbrocess without overshooting of the control onset point and provides automatic compensation: fortload changesrin the process.

While two embodiments of the. invention have been: disclosed. it will-be understood-that there can be other embodiments and modifications thereof within thescope of the 'appended claims, without departing from thespiritof the present inventionv v What'fI claimIis:

1.w A fluid operatedcselectively adjustable .gain

tioning network including adjustable resistances 1 for applying operating: fluid under pressure to said chamber, the pressure. changenot said operatin fluid pressure being proportional to the pressure" change from saidfprimary source andto pressure chan e from saidifvalve, the constants o f =,proportiona1ity being'determined by the adjustment of the resistances in the pressure proportioning network.

2. A fluid operated selectively adjustable gain relay stage, a primary source of fluid under modul'ated pressure, aseconuarysource :offluld under a predetermined reference pressure; sai'd relsry 'stagehavingan-output"pipe; saidirelay stage hays ing: a pressure responsive ehamber and avalve operated by said chamber to vary the pressum o'f 'tliew-- fluid supplied to said-output" pipe 'from said secondary source; said relay stage alsohavin means including an adjustable pressure proper ti pingnetworkincluding resistancesat leastr one of which. is adjustable-tor applying operating fluid-under pressure to saidchambenthapressureohange ofisaid -owratinpnuid pressure being pro portionalto thepressure'change prom: said 11mimarysouroe land: to the 'pressurechange. from saidvalve; "the: constant or proportionality-beingdetermined by the adjustment-10f resistances. the pressure moditying network, said relay stanchaving means wherebythe valueof pressure at the pressure trom sa-id vaiveiiszequal to the pressure from saidprimarysource, oam lbe=5flr dusted torany value within the operating ranges of the pressure iir'omsaid primary source :andthe pressure'from s'ai'd vaive;

fiuid operated selectively ad jus'table gazih rela s tape, a sourceot signal inuiu under modwlei-ted: pressure, a secondary: source of :Ifiuid under uniform-pressure;saidrela stage having a-l s'isna'i pipe to: which the signal? Tluidiis' supplied and an output; pipe," said? relay: :stage c-omprising a: valve tmvary the-pressure oftheanuid supplied to said output'ipipe from said: secondary source-land a member responsive to :il'uid under pressure "for actuating: said tvalve,.zsaidi relay: stage alsa-comprising 1a pressuremodifying: network" adjustably coupling 'saidisignalzzpipeandi'said-output plpe tor supplying: operating fluid under pressure to said member jointly from said signalipipe and from said output pipe wherebythe change oft-pressure of. theizfiuid' insaid output pipe canli be; amplified iornattenuatediat:wilLWlthwBspBcttoithe changed pressureioi ztheisignal fiuid; i

A fluid-operated selectively adjustable-t ain relay stagaia :sourcerofi .signalfluid cund'ervmodu iated pressure,., a: secondarysource of-lfiuid under aselecti-velyiadjustable pressure, said relay.v stage havinga signaljpipe andcan outputlpipeaand prising: :apressure Y responsive? member: andravalue operated by said' member tow -varyrthezzpressure-.=of the. fluid-suppliedxtot said? -outputxpipe fromsaiu secondary source; means including a selectively adjustable pressure modifying network valuabl'y coupling said output pipe to said'signalirpipeior supplying'opeizating: ,fluid umderrpressure :to said member joint-1y: fromssaidsignalsource and: from said fluid under pressure in saidroutputpipe whereby the change offrpress'ure ofthe? iflnidnin said-output :pipe cana'be amplified-or attenuated at will with respect to the-'changeofprcssure of the signal fiuid'. v a

5-. A fluid'operatedselectivelyadjustable:gain relay stage for use'iin: a systenrzior controlling the-value 'ofxavariable, sourccofizsignaliflnid aundermodulated: pressurc,;a.-seoondary sonrceiof fluid. under a given pressure; said; relay stage having an: input :pipe and an; output pipe. and comprising axmember I'BSIQOIlSiVB'TfiQi fluid: under pressure supplied; .throughsaid input pipe. and; a valve operated-bysaid memb'erto: vary the: pres -sure: of theffiuidsuppliedto said outputtpipeafi om said'secondary source, a connectingrlpipecom municating with-cth'e' source:- or -signaifluid and with said output pipe, two restrictions connected in series in said connecting pipe at least one of said restrictions being selectively adjustable, said input pipe communicating with said connecting relay pipe ata point between saidrestrictions whereby thepressure change of the fluid in said output pipe can be amplified or attenuated at will with respect to the pressure change of the signal fluid., I V r 6. A fluid operated selectively adjustable gain relay stage, a source of signal fluid under modulated pressure, a secondarysource of fluid under uniform pressure,said relay stage having an input pipe and an output pipeand comprising a pressure responsive member and a valve operated by said member to vary the pressureof the fluid supplied to said output pipe from said secondary source, means including a selectivelyv adjustable pressure dividing network for supplying operating fluid under pressure to said member jointly from said signal source and from said fluid under varied pressure in said output pipe whereby the change of pressure of the fluid in said output pipe can be amplified or attenuated at will with respect to the change of pressure of the signal fluid, said network including a fluid conduit having two restrictions at least one of whichis adjustable, connected in series therein for coupling said modulated signal source with said output pipe and a fluidconnection to said input pipe from a point insaid conduit between said restrictions. 7. In a system for maintaining a variable condition at a predetermined value, means for sensing the values of the variable condition and for transmitting a fluid under pressure corresponding to the sensed value, a primary unit operated in response to. the transmitted pressure for delivering fluid under controlled pressure, a source of fluid under a selectively adjustable predetermined pressure, means including a pipe communicating with the primary unit and a variable gain relay stage including a relay for controlling the pressure of fluid. applied from said source through said pipe to the primary unit for modifying the action thereof, said relay stage including an adjustable pressure modifying network for supplying operating fluid under pressure to said jointly from said applied fluid and said relay jointly 'from said applied fluid and from said delivered fluid whereby the change of pressure of said applied fluid from the relay stage can be amplified or attenuated at will with respect to the delivered fluid under pressure, and mechanism responsive to the delivered fluid for restoring said condition to substantially said predetermined value.

8. In a system for maintaining a variable condition at apredetermined value, means for sensing the valuesof the variable condition and for transmitting a fluid under pressure corresponding to the sensed value, a primary unit operated in response to the transmitted pressure for delivering fluid under pressure proportional to the transmitted pressure, a source of fluid under a selectively adjustable predetermined pressure, means including a connection communicating with the primary unit and a variable gain relay stage comprising a relay controlling the pressure of the fluid applied through said connection from said source to the primary unit for modifying the action thereof,'said relay stage including an adjustable pressure modifying network for supplying operating fluid under pressure to said relay jointly from said applied fluid and from said delivered fluid'whereby the change of pressure of 8 saidapplied fluid fromthe relay stage can ;be amplified or attenuated at will with respect to the delivered fluid pressure, an additional source of fluid under pressure, a reset unit responsive to said delivered fluid for controlling operating fluid from said additional source at a pressure proportionalto the sensed change and proportional to the integral of the sensed change with respect to time,,and mechanism responsive to the operating, fluid for restoring said condition to substantially said predetermined value.

9. In a system for maintaining a variable condition at a predetermined value, means for sensing changes in the value of the variable condition and for transmitting a fluid under pressure corresponding to the sensed change, a primary unit operated in response to the transmitted pressure for :delivering fluid under pressure porportional to the transmitted pressure, and proportional tothe rate of change in the transmitted pressure, a source of fluid under a selectively adjustable predetermined pressure, means including a pipe communicating with said primary unit and a variable gain relay stage comprising a relay controlling the pressure of the fluid applied from said source through said pipe to the primary unit for modifying the action thereof, said relay stage including an adjustable pressure modifying network for supplying operating fluid under pressure to said relay jointly from said applied fluid and from said delivered fluid whereby the change of pressure of said applied fluid from the relay stage can be amplified or attenuated at will with respect to the delivered fluid pressure, an additional source of fluid under pressure, a reset unit responsive to said delivered fluid for controlling operating fluid from said additional source at a pressure proportional to the sensed change and proportional to the integral of the sensed change with respect to time, and mechanism responsive to the operating fluid for restoring said condition to substantially said predetermined value.

10. In-a fluid actuated system, a selectively adjustable gain relay having an input pipe to which a fluid under modulated pressure is supplied, and an output pipe, an auxiliary source of fluid under selectively adjustable predetermined pressure, said relay comprising a member responsive to fluid under pressure supplied through an input conduit, a valve operated by said member to vary the pressure of the fluid supplied to said output pipe from said auxiliary source, a connecting conduit communicating with said input pipe and with said output pipe, and two restrictions con- 'nected in series in said connecting conduit, at least one of said restrictions being selectively adjustable, said input conduit communicating with said connection conduit at a point between said restrictions whereby the pressure difierential between the pressures in the input pipe and in the output pipe can be amplified orattenuated 'at'willwith respect to the change in pressure in the input pipe.

' ELLIOT H.'WOODHULL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,441,405 Fitch May 11, 1948 2,517,051 Swenson Aug. 1, 1950 

